Virgin River boss confirms if Preacher is leaving after season 7
A new season of Virgin River has finally been released, but is one of the Netflix drama's most beloved characters about to leave?
Virgin River fans have been left questioning whether Preacher’s (played by Colin Lawrence) time on the hit small town drama is coming to an end.
The seventh season of Netflix’s smash-hit romance series was released onto the platform last Thursday (12th March) and has already sent viewers into a frenzy with the latest twists and turns.
As Mel Monroe (played by Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) start to navigate married life, an offer from Mel’s pregnant patient Marley (Rachel Drance) opens up exciting yet daunting opportunities.
Vernon ‘Doc’ Mullins’ (Tim Matheson) also faced a tough battle with the medical board after having his licence suspended, and Brady (Ben Hollingsworth) and Brie (Zibby Allen) once again find themselves drawn into each other’s orbit.
Meanwhile, Jack’s best friend Preacher has a difficult decision to make after a revelation about where he wants to take his career.
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After discovering a passion for hospitality when he takes over the bar’s new menu, by the end of the season he’s considering dissolving his partnership with Jack to open his own restaurant.
However, the finale concluded with Preacher still undecided over whether or not to sign a buyout agreement that would allow him to leave and carve out his own path.
This development has sent alarm bells ringing among Virgin River fans, who are now concerned that Preacher could eventually leave the series if he decides to open his own eatery outside the town limits.
Speaking to Deadline, though, producer and showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has assured viewers that won’t be the case, at least for now.
“He’ll be in the show next year, but I think, season eight, a part of it really focuses on the strength of Jack and Preacher’s friendship and the strength of that bond,” he explained.
“So regardless of how things work out in that regard, that’s always such a special relationship that we want to be very careful with.”
Fans can rest easy that Lawrence will be back for at least one more season.
Even so, Smith hasn’t ruled out the star either taking a step back from his main role or leaving together at some point in the as yet unconfirmed ninth and 10th instalments.
The showrunner’s comments come after it was confirmed that both Lauren Hammersley (Charmaine) and Marco Grazzini (Mike) will no longer be part of the Netflix series going forward.
Hollingsworth said of Grazzini's exit in Entertainment Weekly: “He’s a talented actor with a lot to offer, and I wouldn't be surprised if he’s leading his own series next year at this time.
"What people might not realise about Marco is he’s such a sweetheart and a fantastic guy. We’re all going to miss him. He adds this specific flavour and texture to our set that will be sorely missed."
He admitted “it stings a bit” to see the cast members go after so long with the series. Thankfully, Lawrence’s Preacher has no plans to join them for the time being.
Virgin River is available to stream on Netflix.
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